STORIES FROM THE WEB

This Day In Sports History (May 25th) – Quebec Nordiques

It was on this day in 1995 that the Quebec Nordiques were sold to a group of investors from Denver, Colorado. The Nordiques were re-located for the beginning of the 1995-96 season to Colorado, where they became the Colorado Avalanche.

In the strike-shortened season of 1994-95, the Nordiques finished atop the Eastern Conference standings, but would bow out in the first round to the defending Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers. With names like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Owen Nolan and Wendel Clark, the Nordiques had a solid team and were considered a Stanley Cup contender the following season. Unfortunately for the fans of Quebec, the team was moved just as they were ready to take the next step in the playoffs.

Patrick Roy was acquired midway through the season, which made the Avalanche legit Stanley Cup threats. In their first year in Colorado, the team formerly known as the Quebec Nordiques would capture the Stanley Cup by sweeping the Florida Panthers in the finals.